To debadge or not to debadge???

Frosty Power 323CI · Sep 25, 2004

Hey guys,

Just looking for your honest opinion on a question:

Should I debadge my '00 323CI or should I keep it on? I know a lot of people with 323CI that debadge their car for whatever reason. Maybe they don't want anyone to know it is a 323CI or maybe because it looks cleaner, but curious to know your opinions on a debadged car (in North America only).

Thanks,

Frosty Power 323CI

codex57 · Sep 25, 2004

I think it's cleaner, but most people think you're just trying to hide the fact that you have a 323/325

MrElussive · Sep 25, 2004

codex57 said:

werd.

Wallie05 · Sep 25, 2004

I've never understood the debadging trend. I always figured that the people who bought the smaller displacement cars in a give series/classs (i.e. 525i, S430) were trying to hide the fact. But I realize that some people who buy the more expensive models prefer this as well. I'm of the impression that if you pay more for the bigger motor, don't try to hide it. And if you buy the smaller version, again, don't try to hide it.

But aside from that, I just don't like the look of a debadged car. It gives an appearance of anonymity that I think is awkward.

Dutch · Sep 25, 2004

DEBADGE!!!!!! It's looks so much nicer than the ugly badge on the back. I selected it as an (free of course) option on my car. Regardless of engine type.

theBMWenthusiast · Sep 25, 2004

just keep the badge...i like it better that way

Average Jae · Sep 25, 2004

how about a riced out m3 badge? that'll make yo ride real phat dawg! [;)]

honestly, do what you like. but don't do it for the sake of making your car look like somethign it's not. and anyone that's in tune w/ bimmers will figure it out right away anyway, rims, trims etc.. even if you have a sleeper, (i read about some of those out in the bahn, but even then, whatever.)

Be PROUD of your baby!!!!

MrElussive · Sep 25, 2004

What's what is when I see an "M" badge on a 530i or something random like that. Or if I see an AMG badge on a non-AMG car. I'm pretty good at telling the differences between cars without looking at the badge (i.e. I can tell the difference between a 325/330/M3, 525/530/545/M5, etc.) but most people aren't.
Debadging the car does look cleaner, but having the badge there looks nice as well. I have actually been considering removing the "G35" badge on the right side of my trunk lid...I think it would look a lot cleaner.

Frosty Power 323CI · Sep 26, 2004

Hey guys,

Thanks all for your honest opinion on this topic, as far as my decision goes, I am going to debadge it! Make it have the clean look and not try to make it look like anything it's not(ie. M3 or 330). Don't get me wrong, I'm proud to own a 323CI. Would dream to own an M3 but this car definately won't look like one and have an ///3 badge on it, that's not my style...Thanks again for all your opinions.

Frosty Power 323CI
[bmwdance]

j2azz · Sep 26, 2004

I bought my M3 off the lot, but would have de-badged it if I could. I think it looks sharp. Plus if someone knows a lot about BMW's, they'll know what car it is just from a glance.

MrElussive · Sep 26, 2004

Frosty Power 323CI said:

That's cool. This one kid at my high school had a 330Ci and he took steps to make it more like an M3. He debadged it and had the dealer install the "M3 gills" on the sides of the body, behind and above the front wheels.

dm_longhorn · Sep 26, 2004

Can i have the badge? I'll upgrade to the new, lesser known 335CI.

theBMWenthusiast · Sep 26, 2004

dm_longhorn said:

hehe, that'd be funny, but youd have to make the two parts look good togethar

xmas63 · Sep 27, 2004

That was one of the advantages of having a 330i---I was able to de-badge without being accused of being a poser!

But seriously, just do what you want. I really like the nice, clean look.

j2azz · Sep 27, 2004

MrElussive said:

That's cool. This one kid at my high school had a 330Ci and he took steps to make it more like an M3. He debadged it and had the dealer install the "M3 gills" on the sides of the body, behind and above the front wheels.

Sad..

DrivingTopless · Sep 27, 2004

What is the easiest way to debadge? Heat up the numbers/letters with a hairdryer and then peel them off? Anyone have any problems with ghosts left behind from surrounding paint fade?

andreyiv · Sep 27, 2004

I heard that after heating up the badge, some people took a piece of floss and passed it under the badge, "cutting" the glue, don't know about pain fade or anything, but your car is not that old for it to be that noticible, but then again, you never know.

Can I get the rest of the badge then? I'll make mine a 355i, hehehehe. Just kidding around, i would never do that without matching the engine size.

dpnguyen · Sep 27, 2004

Just do it and don't worry about what other people think. I debadged mine and LOVE the clean look; Yes, I have a 325, but I would've done it if I had a 330. I'm also going to get black wedges (I know, propeller blades...) to cover up the white ones ala the frontcover of the latest Bavauto catalog on the roundel (front, back, and wheels). The transformation on my metallic black Bimmer from Anakin to Vader will then be complete. LOL...When my V1 goes off, it's like Vader's chest piece. WooHoo!

There are too many Bimmers out there that look alike IMO. Don't be afraid to be different!

Frosty Power 323CI · Sep 27, 2004

Hey guys,

Finally did it. Debadged!!!

Only thing I noticed is that there is a "ghost" symbol in my paint just like "Drivingtopless" said in the reply. My wife says she can't notice it but I can cause I took the thing off. You can see the old symbol background on certain angles in the light. Any thoughts on how to get this so called "ghost symbol" off my car. That might annoy me a little but other than that, I love the look!!!

Frosty Power 323CI

andreyiv · Sep 27, 2004

What you are refering to might be glue residue. I had a dealership sticker on my car that I removed right away and it took some very good scrubbing to take all the residue off. Try things like gasoline or nitro fuel (thats what I used) just make sure you don't come close to your car with brake fluid. Good luck and update us on the ghosting effect.

To debadge or not to debadge???

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